Despite business pundits’ claims that we’re living in volatile times, Greg Satell argues that businesses have never been safer than they are today. While industry fledglings are free to try and disrupt the big corporations with innovative products, they may not be able to do so easily. With lobbying expenditures more than doubling since 1998, corporate taxes decreasing, and antitrust regulations becoming “virtually non-existent”, businesses seem to have shifted their focus from innovation into ensuring a more favourable regulatory environment and keeping new market entrants out. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
